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dent Award Winners at the annual award ceremony.

“There’s no higher honor than being nominated by peers. We have an exceptional facility and student body. Rick Perkins and GOAL are among the highest honors our college bestows. Mrs. Hairr and Ms. Martinez-Ramos will represent Southeastern Tech with excellence,” Southeastern Technical College President Larry Calhoun emphasized.

The Rick Perkins Instructor of the Year Award honors faculty nominated by their peers for outstanding accomplishments and significant contributions to technical education through innovation and leadership in their fields. Hairr, Associate of Science in Nursing Instructor Jennifer Gunter, and Air Conditioning Instructor Vince Scott were all finalists for the award, but ultimately, it was Hairr who emerged victorious.

“We are extremely proud of each of our nominees. We have amazing faculty. Each nominee is deserving, and each was chosen for that reason. Our faculty changes lives, one life at a time,” Southeastern Technical College Vice President for Academic Affairs Teresa Coleman commented.

After being announced as the recipient of the award, Hairr took to the stage to reflect on her career and the honor. “For those who found me worthy, thank you. I’m humbled. At technical colleges, we teach skills that matter today and will matter tomorrow — from Cosmetology to Cybersecurity, to Early Childcare Education, [and] to Healthcare,” she told the audience. “When asked why I chose to teach at a technical college, my answer is straightforward: technical colleges change lives. It changed my life. It changes the lives of my students and it strengthens our communities and the industries that keep Georgia progressive.”

Hairr explained that her own career is rooted in technical education, as she took college courses during high school at a technical college. “That experience gave me a skill set, but it also gave me confidence, direction, and a true understanding that technical education is powerful – and it’s transformative,” she remarked.

“Technical education also strengthens Georgia’s economic future. Our state has become a hub for aerospace, automotive manufacturing, and film production. Those industries thrive because technical colleges supply a pipeline of highly skilled workers. When a student receives a technical certificate or diploma, it isn’t just a personal win. It’s an economic win for Georgia. It’s a privilege for me to play a small part in that and witness students moving towards a better future,” Hairr concluded.

After announcing the Rick Perkins Award, Calhoun then introduced the nominees for the GOAL Award, which highlights the importance of technical education, recognizes the outstanding achievements of Georgia’s technical college students, and emphasizes the importance of technical education in today’s global workforce. This statewide program of the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) honors excellence in academics and leadership.

“The GOAL program spotlights the outstanding achievements of students in Georgia’s technical colleges. A screening committee of administrators at Southeastern Tech reviewed each nomination and conducted interviews with the students. After nominees were ranked, four finalists took part in another round of interviews and evaluations by a selection committee of representatives from local businesses and industry to compete to be Southeastern Tech’s GOAL winner,” Southeastern Technical College GOAL Program Coordinator Rebecca Ethredge. “That panel considered the students’ academic achievement, personal character, leadership abilities, and enthusiasm for technical education.”

Being nominated for GOAL is among the highest honors awarded at Southeastern Technical College. A student must have completed 12 credit hours, have at least a B average, and be in good standing at the College. Additionally, the student must recognize the impact of technical education on Georgia’s economic health and be willing to serve as an ambassador for technical education.

Students nominated for the award were Dental Hygiene Student Olivia Barnes, Dental Hygiene Student Jaycee Bratcher, Dental Hygiene Student Melanie Garcia, Associate of Science in Nursing Student Whitney Griffin, Welding and Joining Technology Student Dylan Joyner, Paramedicine Student Rebecca Kirkland, Business Management Student Kathleen Perkins, Health Care Management Student Michele Turner, Business Management Student Brooklyn Willis, Healthcare Professional Student Kelsey Adams, Dental Hygiene Student Katie Bell, Associate of Science in Nursing Student Jasmine Holmes, and Associate of Science in Nursing Bridge Pathway Student Jessica Martinez-Ramos.

Associate of Science in Nursing Bridge Pathway Student Jessica Martinez- Ramos was selected as the GOAL Student from a group of award finalists – herself, Adams, Bell, and Holmes – by a panel of judges.

Martinez-Ramos is a licensed practical nurse who works as a charge nurse at Oxley Park Health and Rehabilitation and at Community Hospice. She is pursuing an Associate of Science in Nursing degree through the Bridge Pathway and was nominated by Instructor Ginny Ennis.

“Attending STC hasn’t just shaped my career, but it has also expanded my worldview by allowing me to visit multiple countries and build connections with people from different backgrounds,” Martinez-Ramos remarked, as she emphasized that those experiences made her more open-minded, adaptable, and ready for the workforce.

“Many thanks and much appreciation to everyone involved. I’d like to thank the judges who gave of their time to invest in students and wish all the nominees a successful future,” she added.

Martinez-Ramos and Hairr will now go on to compete at the regional level in February where three finalists from each of TCSG’s three regions move to the state-level competition in Atlanta in April. State winners will serve as ambassadors for technical education in Georgia and a voice of technical colleges, making many public appearances throughout the year.

Other Finalists Fellow GOAL Student Finalists Adams, Bell, and Holmes each spoke on their experience in technical education, as they reacted to the honor of being named a GOAL Student finalist.

Adams, who has earned two inductions into honor societies during her time as a student, remarked, “I chose technical education because it gives me a great education at an extremely affordable cost.”

Bell has attended Southeastern Technical College since her sophomore year of high school at Jenkins County High School. She spoke on her time at the college, saying, “I took advantage of the opportunity afforded to high school students to participate in STC’s Dual Enrollment Program, and that enabled me to pursue my educational dreams and goals in a relatively short amount of time. Without the Dual Enrollment classes, I would not be 19 years old and enrolled in the Dental Hygiene Program.”

Holmes was also set up for success in high school, as she completed her phlebotomy certification during her high school years. She commented on her time at STC, as she shared, “My career goals are grounded in helping others and providing assistance to newborn babies with special needs. Obtaining a nursing degree is not just about getting a job; it is about being able to serve others.”

The GOAL Student and Rick Perkins Award presentations are held annually in January at STC. For more information on the college, visit the college’s website at www.southeasterntech. edu or call (912) 5383100 or (478) 289-2200.